STRONG IDEA: Nutrition - A Positive Approach – Part 2 of 5
By Emily Stapleton on April 23, 2013 from Strong Ideas via Connect-Bridgeport.com
This is the second post in a five-week series on nutrition. As a reminder, I am not a nutrition expert; just a regular Jane like you, trying to live a healthier life. This is a positive approach to nutrition. You won’t read about eliminating anything. So read on, and stay tuned over the next several weeks to discover some simple steps to better nutrition.
Last week we started with water. Didn’t read last week’s post? Read it, but didn’t act on it? Click here to read. I urge you to take this one step at a time. So, if you didn’t head my instruction last week, start with water and revisit this week’s post next week.
Week 2: Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
This week the focus is on fruits and vegetables. Like water intake, there is some debate about the amount of fruits and vegetable needed to be healthy. What we do know is that fruits and vegetables contain vital nutrients and most of us are not getting enough. If you have time, check out www.choosemyplate.gov for detailed information on portion recommendations. If not here’s the gist of it: most people need approximately 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables every day. I don’t recommend measuring every portion of fruit that you consume. Keep it simple. The idea is to consume a fair amount of fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that your body needs both fruits and vegetables and the more variety you eat, the better.
This week the focus is on fruits and vegetables. Like water intake, there is some debate about the amount of fruits and vegetable needed to be healthy. What we do know is that fruits and vegetables contain vital nutrients and most of us are not getting enough. If you have time, check out www.choosemyplate.gov for detailed information on portion recommendations. If not here’s the gist of it: most people need approximately 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables every day. I don’t recommend measuring every portion of fruit that you consume. Keep it simple. The idea is to consume a fair amount of fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that your body needs both fruits and vegetables and the more variety you eat, the better.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to make sure I’m getting enough fruits and vegetables:
• Eat fruit with breakfast
• Eat salad or a wrap for lunch
• Eat a generous portion of veggies with dinner
• Carry an apple or orange with you for a snack
• Add spinach and berries to smoothies
• Wash and prepare a large amount of produce so it’s ready to grab from the fridge.
• Eat fruit with breakfast
• Eat salad or a wrap for lunch
• Eat a generous portion of veggies with dinner
• Carry an apple or orange with you for a snack
• Add spinach and berries to smoothies
• Wash and prepare a large amount of produce so it’s ready to grab from the fridge.
Have some good tips of your own? Comment on this post and share!
Until next week,
Emily Stapleton
Emily Stapleton
